Evaluation of Gastric Antiulcerogenic Action of Vegetable Plantain Banana (musa Sapientum Var. Paradisiaca) in Aspirin plus Pylorus Ligated Albino Rats

Objectives: To assess the effect of unripe dried banana powder in experimentally induced gastric ulcers and effect on gastric acid secretion. To evaluate the antiulcerogenic effect of plantain banana of Gujarat as a part of evaluation of impact of biological variables on this activity. Materials and methods: Total of 24 albino rats of either sex weighing between 150-250 gm were randomly divided into 4 groups. Each group has 6 no. of rats. The first group received placebo (distilled water), the second, third & forth group received 0.5gm/kg, 1gm/kg and 2mg/kg of banana powder respectively. Banana powder was given as suspension at fixed time (3 times in a day) for two days and animals were kept for fasting for another 48hrs. On 5 day, the animals were sacrificed after 7 hrs and stomach were removed for examination and gastric juice samples were collected to analyze volume and acidity. Results: Orally administered banana powder in the dose of 2gm/kg caused a statistically significant decrease in aspirin with pyloric ligation induced ulcers in rats without significantly decrease in secretary activity. Conclusion: It can be concluded from these results that vegetable plantain banana has antiulcerogenic and mucosal protective actions, but it has no antisecretory activity. INTRODUCTION: Peptic ulcer is a psychosomatic disease, a major, health problem in terms of morbidity and mortality. It is a worldwide problem and its prevalence is quite high in India. According to several field studies from different parts of our country, its occurrence is 4 to 10 per thousand populations. Three states of India viz. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are considered to be very high risk areas . It is a benign lesion of gastric or duodenal mucosa occurring at a site where the mucosal epithelium is exposed to acid and pepsin. It occurs due to imbalance between offensive (acid-pepsin secretion. H. pylori, bile, increased free radicals and decreased antioxidants) versus impaired mucosal resistance (mucus, bicarbonate secretion, prostaglandins, blood flow and the process of restitution and regeneration after cellular injury) .